THE biggest travel sale in Mindanao, Davao Mega Travel Sale (DMTS), kicks off Friday, February 17 at the Abreeza Ayala Mall, Davao City.
The travel sale, which was centered on the theme: “Travel. Set. Go!” will run until Sunday, February 19.
“Affordable airline fares and tour packages will be at stake in this year’s DMTS,” Davao Travel Agencies Association (DTAA) external vice president and PAR Travel and Tours general manager Pia Lourdes Partoza said.
For this year, 36 exhibitors composed of local and foreign airlines, cruise lines, travel agencies, tour operators, hotels, resorts and destination promotions agencies will give Mindanaoans discounted (40 percent off and up) deals for this year.
The three-day event is spearheaded by DTAA, in partnership with BPI, Cebu Pacific, Silk Air, SunStar Davao, and Amadeus.
DMTS, Partoza said , will serve as a venue for gathering major industry players to launch new services or products and establish new marketing connections.
“With DMTS, people especially those into traveling are given more opportunities to travel this 2017. We promise that more affordable fares and tour packages that are within reach are up for grabs,” she said.
On its eighth year, the event will be more special as it coincides with Silk Air’s 20th anniversary in Davao City.
Special rates on its foreign fares including Japan, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, and other Southeast Asia and Europe rates.
Partoza said that last year’s expo was a big success as they met their target of P70 million in gross revenues last year.
The three-day travel expo generated some P50 million in gross revenues in 2015.
“We are eyeing an increase of 50 percent in gross revenues this year and we are but positive to achieve it as tourism industry in the region and Mindanao as a whole is booming,” she said.
Partoza also said that BPI reported that they met its target last year in terms of booking tour packages and airfares through swipe/credit card transactions.
She added that tourists and travelers have been preparing and waiting for the event to avail discounts as people are now more aware of the travel sale.
The expo will also feature anew the interschool dance competition to be participated by Davao schools offering tourism courses.